Turf Paradise 26 December 2005
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Encouragement is a speedy sort who has been running in tougher company. She must have a chance in this company, while Ruby J, beaten just a head last tie, should go close despite stepping up in class now. However, the fourth in her race, CHANCEYGOTATHUMB, was less than a length back in fourth and is likely to improve after just two starts. She gets the vote here.
Weybridge is the fastest of these on dirt and has a plum inside draw but has been well beaten three times now in this grade. Deering Legend was third in similar company last time but was 14l behind and is passed over in favour of CAPE COUNTY, the fastest over this trip. She, too, was third in similar last time, but beaten less than a length and likely to be too good here despite a poor outside draw.
Face The Music and Magic Flight are speedy sorts who have been running against tougher sorts. Dropped in class today, they should be in the shake-up. preference, however, is for BOOMTOWN THIEF, who has been knocking on the door in similar contests, only finishing out of the first three once in his last seven starts. He should finally get his head in front today.
The speedy Excusabull has won twice lately in lesser company and can be given a chance here while Chubby Is Ready scored by a nose last time and could go well here despite stepping up in class. MIRANDO looks the answer to this. She won a $16k claimer last time out and hasn't run a bad race all year. She looks far too good here.
This should go the way of ALLBOW, the quickest of these on turf and over this trip. She landed a $40k race over C&D last time out to maintain this year's top form and it's hard to see any of these getting the better of her. Me O Me O My won a $20k optional claimer here last time and looks the one for the exacta.
Sparkelad is the fastest of these on dirt and over this trip but has won only twice in 42 starts. Wild Houston and Malibu Baby were second and third in similar last time and should be thereabouts but preference is for HOUSTON TO MARILYN, who left some poor form behind him to score over the extended mile here in a similar contest last time. A repeat effort would be good enough to take this.
Colstrip has become very expensive to follow after three consecutive defeats as favourite, while Pescado Grande was beaten 7 lengths when third just over a fortnight ago, so preference is for CAUSTIC FUSION who has admittedly suffered a couple of recent hefty defeats and is drawn wide, but is a likely improver in his third start since an eight-month layoff.
Narrow preference is for MINING GOLD who finished second a fortnight ago and is now partnered by an in-form jockey. Dangers include recent winner Keagan, who boasts the fastest best dirt speed among today's starters and represents a trainer who can do little wrong at present, and Coastal King who has been absent for over two months but has been reportedly working well in training.
With the fastest best dirt speed among today's starters, ROYAL FOOTAGE is fancied to complete a double for his high-percentage trainer and jockey despite being allocated a less than ideal draw. Kolinor has an obvious chance of spoiling the selection's party if repeating the form of his recent third in tougher company, while Frankie Grande commands respect in his bid to complete an excellent four-timer.
